Launch of a book about Carnaby's cockatoo

If you'd like a chance to meet Leighton De Barros film maker and author of the new book On a Wing and  Prayer: The Story of  Carnaby's cockatoo family, here are the details of the book launch event. Both Rick Dawson (the human star of the documentary) and myself will be there too.

When: 5.30pm Friday 8 June 2012
Venue: Western Australian Conservation Science Centre. 17 Dick Perry Ave, Kensington, WA
RSVP: Cathy Birch on 9334 0296 by Tuesday 5 June

Light refreshements will follow.

"On a Wing and a Prayer: the story of a Carnaby’s cockatoo family introduces us to the world of the Carnaby’s cockatoo; one of five species of black cockatoo whose populations have declined dramatically.  Every milestone in their struggle to survive is documented through the engaging story of one cockatoo family.  This is a story of love, loss and sheer endurance.

Witness the parent’s unique nest-selection behaviour, see their elaborate courtship, and revel in the miracle of new life as the first chick breaks through its shell.  Much depends on the chick’s survival but life at the hollow is tough and threats are many – hypothermia, starvation, predators and poachers are but a few.  While the female tries to protect her precious offspring, the male risks predation, exhaustion and road traffic accidents to find food for his family in a depleted natural habitat. 

We follow Department of Environment and Conservation senior wildlife investigator Rick Dawson’s work as he passionately shepherds the birds on their life journey.  Whether he’s using surveillance devices to protect against poachers, rescuing an injured Carnaby’s cockatoo, or releasing rehabilitated birds back into the wild, he will go to great lengths to help save this endearing bird.  Join him on his journey."

RRP $24.95 – Available from Department of Environment and Conservation offices, ABC shops and other good bookstores.

Cockatoo tracking update

'Blue Tails' Released at Perry Lakes
One started out by hanging out around the Perry Lakes area and then moved into Nedlands and Dalkeith. Since crossing the river it has continued heading south, visiting Manning Lake, Leda Nature Reserve area and is currently in Baldivis.

Three have stayed relatively close together frequenting the suburbs surrounding Mount Lawley Golf Course including Coolbinia, Yokine, Menora, North Perth, Inglewood, Bedford and Morley.

Two are still in the hills and after moving through Gidgegannup have settled in the vicinity of Morangup and south of Toodyay Rd.


'Pink Tails' Released at Yanchep National Park
All five released at Yanchep have stayed in the general vicinity of the National Park. They have visited and roosted in the nearby pine plantation to the northwest.

Pink tails

Today we released five Carnaby's cockatoos at Yanchep National Park. This group have had their tails coloured pink together with an individual identifying letter.




They have been fitted with satellite tracking devices. The pic to the left shows the vets anaesthetising one of my study birds so that I can attach the transmitter.

It will be interesting to compare the movements of this group with those released a week earlier at Perry Lakes.

The blue colour used on the cockatoos released at Perry Lakes is already lasting better than the green of the very first release of my study birds so I am hoping to get sightings over a longer period. Incidentally, a green tail was sighted a couple of evenings ago in the flock coming to drink at Perry Lakes before roosting for the night.

This will be the last release for a little while until the next group of birds are ready for release from rehabilitation.

Where have they gone? - Day 2

There are four cockatoos that appear to still be roosting at Perry Lakes or nearby. Three have been foraging during the day in the vicinity of Mount Lawley Golf Course. One has remained near Perry Lakes and has visited Nedlands and Dalkeith. The two that headed for the hills have travelled further east into Gidgegannup.

This photo was taken yesterday morning (20th May) of the cockatoos shortly after they left the Perry Lakes roost. They initially settled in a couple of dead trees within Underwood Ave bush. I snapped some shots hoping to capture the blue tails and was rewarded. There are two cockatoos with blue tails in this shot!

Where have they gone? - Day 1

Here's a quick update on the whereabouts of the cockatoos that we released yesterday.

It was a big relief and exciting to finally see the data coming from the tracking devices when they activated earlier today. So many people have put in a big effort to rehab these birds, trial attaching devices to them and help me prepare the birds for yesterday's release. Thank you to you all!

Only one remained close to the release site on Day 1 after release. One travelled to the vicinity of Bayswater. Two went north to Yokine and most surprising of all two have already travelled all the way to Herne Hill/Jane Brook area! They weren't messing about heading towards home in the hills. They were originally collected from Mundaring and Bickley. Where will they go tomorrow?

Satellite tracking trial

We released six Carnaby's cockatoos at Perry Lakes today fitted with tracking devices. It is the first time satellite tracking devices have been used on black cockatoos.

Battery life is short but for a fortnight after release I will receive regular location readings, and then once every five days I will receive an update of where the birds have gone until battery life is exhausted in about 2-3 months.

These cockatoos have also had part of their white tail feather panels coloured blue and an individual identifying letter stencilled on each tail feather.

 

Reports of sightings of the tail marked cockatoos will compliment the data received via the tracking devices so please look out for them and let me know when you see them.

ABC News ran a story on the release. It can be viewed here.

Planting cockatoo food

The weather has cooled off and we've had some rain so now is a good time to establish some new plants in the garden. Why not plant species that will produce food for Carnaby's cockatoo? You can use the Plants for Carnaby's Search Tool to find out what plants will match your site and purpose for planting.

The Friends of Kings Park is holding its next plant sale on the 20th May and the Eastern Hills Wildflower Society is holding its annual plant sale on the 12th May (Octagonal Hall, Glen Forrest). They are great places to find local plants species that you can't normally find in nurseries.